“We have noticed a rise of intolerance in several countries in Europe,” says Olivier Beer, the Strasbourg-based UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions. “This conference will discuss the situation in Europe and not only in Greece.”
Strengthening human rights standards and furthering the fight against racism are among the key commitments of Armenia, as it takes over the chairmanship of the organisation’s Committee of Ministers.
A decision by Ukraine’s authorities refusing a woman’s wish to change her middle name to honour her stepfather breached human rights law.
“This is a campaign for human rights but also a campaign for dignity everywhere,” says Rui Gomes in an upbeat assessment of the first 100 days of the organisation’s online campaign against hate speech.
A resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers states: “Despite steps taken by the authorities, the number of racially-motivated offences remains alarming, targeting in particular persons originating from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Asia and Africa, as well as Roma.”
